Obituary of Sheryl Lee Royce

Sheryl Lee Royce, at age 75, passed away on August 30, 2024. She was born to Amy Whiting Wells Anderson Mullins and Willard Eugene Mullins on November 22, 1948, in Fort Worth TX.

As a toddler, Sheryl was so stunning with her blond hair and blue eyes that everyone told her she was SO pretty. Her parents had to ask people not to comment because Sheryl had begun preempting introduction with “Don’t you think I’m pretty?”  When Sheryl was 4 or 5 she would play under the kitchen table with her little brother Keith. It came as a complete shock, 14 years later, when her parents discovered all the fine coloring art that covered the entire bottom of the table!  Sheryl set her sights on being a twirler in junior high and joined the band as a percussionist playing the cymbals in order to qualify. She loved being a twirler through her senior year, 1966 Tascosa High School, Amarillo TX. Her favorite high school food: lemon filled long-johns. She also competed and was crowned the Downtown Amarillo Lions Club Sweetheart for 1965 and 1966.

Sheryl Lee Mullins married JD Blackwell in 1967, moved to San Diego CA and had a daughter, Crystal. Sheryl said the happiest time of her life was in Eugene (1971-1975) where she was preparing to be a minister’s wife, taking classes at Northwest Christian College. This was a time of spiritual euphoria. Bible study, evangelism, seminars and worship saturated her days, and she couldn’t have been happier.  They moved across the country to Oklahoma in 1975 where she began working for Stretch & Sew and taught sewing classes. In 1980 they moved to Avant OK to work as resident staff at Shepherds Fold Ranch ministering to youth. After a period of time in OKC and Avant, they moved back to Tulsa for the final time. She was an accomplished square dancer and round dancer, making all her own dresses and coordinating partner pieces. They traveled around the region to dance with favorite callers and show how beautifully it could be done.

Sheryl was a part time caretaker for both her mother and grandmother until their passing (2002). Bucket list item: Skydiving! completed on her 55th birthday. Sheryl and JD divorced in 2004. A great source of joy is when she finally became a grandma to Collin (2003) and Flora (2005). She was ordained in the process of pursuing her dream to become a chaplain and in 2008 officiated her niece Kelly’s wedding.  Sheryl bravely decided to go back to school as an older student to broaden her horizons and pursue her dream of working in Grief and Loss Counseling as a chaplain. She attained her BA in Psychology in 2009 from Langston University where she also met Kerry Royce. In October 2009 they were married.

Sheryl was an amazing partner and companion, striving daily to create happiness and comfort in her and Kerry’s life together. She served as Kerry’s primary caregiver for the duration of her life with him and sole caregiver during the Covid pandemic. They relished time reading and studying together, usually paired with dessert or popcorn.  Sheryl enjoyed baking and was known for her “Famous Chocolate Cake”, chocolate pies, and Double Chocolate French Toast. Reading was an active pastime her entire life and a particularly avid Christian literature enthusiast. She was a hardy movie watcher, rising to the occasion of a Harry Potter- the entire movie series- in 7 days with her grandchildren, whom she absolutely adored.

Sheryl was proceeded in death by both of her parents and survived by her husband, Kerry Royce; daughter, Crystal Small, and grandchildren, Collin Small and Flora Allen. She is also survived by her brothers: Bill Mullins and Keith Mullins.

A “Celebration of Life” service will be held on Monday, September 16, 2024, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the Ninde Brookside Chapel, 3841 S Peoria, Tulsa OK 74105.

Ninde Funeral | Mosaic Memorial Cremation | (918) 742-5556 | ninde.com